AI Reshapes Engineering Education in Non-Metro India: Students Bypass Outdated Curricula

• Non-metro engineering students are bypassing outdated college curricula, turning to edtech platforms and online resources for AI upskilling.
• Students like Chetna self-fund online GenAI courses, costing Rs 2,000-3,000 monthly, to prepare for the job market.
• Coding platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank are now as influential as academic scores for placements, with recruiters tapping talent beyond metros.
• Tech hiring in non-metro cities is projected to rise significantly by FY2027, making these regions strong feeders for AI-led roles.
• While AI upskilling is crucial, economic rewards vary, with top packages reaching Rs 80 lakh for extraordinary performers, but average salaries around Rs 12-14 lakh.